Game

ABSTRACT

A game is disclosed. The game includes two or more tiers or levels in which a player must achieve certain benchmarks or goals at each tier to advance to the next tier, whereby each tier of the game represents a certain phase or definable segment in a person&#39;s life based upon one or more of the following: career goals; personal goals; educational goals or geographic location.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/577,021, filed on Dec. 17, 2011, titled GAME, which isincorporated in its entirety by reference in this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a game and, in particular, to a game that hasmultiple tiers in which a player must achieve certain benchmarks orgoals at each tier to advance to the next tier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be better understood by referring to the followingfigures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention. In the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an implementation of titles that may beutilized in association with the game in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the three tiers forming concentriccircles on a playing field in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates examples of the goals that must be achieved at eachtier in order to win the game in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, the present invention is a game that includes two ormore tiers or levels in which a player must achieve certain benchmarksor goals at each tier to advance to the next tier. Each tier of the gamerepresents a certain phase or definable segment in a person's life basedupon their career goals, personal goals, educational goals andoptionally, their geographic location, among other things. At one ormore of the tiers, there may be sub-tiers that provide players optionalpaths that may offer different benefits and/or drawbacks to the player,which may avail different options to a player and impact a player'sability to achieve certain goals in the current or future tiers.

The game may take the form of a board game or an electronic game thatmay be access or played on any electronic devices, including but notlimited to a gaming device, mobile device or computer. The electronicgame may be a network accessible and/or a downloadable game. In summary,those skilled in the art will recognize that the game may be developedand played in any medium, with one or more players.

One example implementation of the game is a game designed to mimic thelife of an individual that lives in the Silicon Valley and that isattempting to cultivate an idea through funding, development andevidential initial public offering (i.e., an entrepreneur). In theillustrated game, the first tier is designed around the player holding asteady job. The second tier is centered around the player starting theirown business and raising capital and the third tier is centered aroundthe player taking the company to an initial public offering. In theillustrated example, during the first tier, subtiers or levels may, forexample, be included to allow the player to earn an advance degree, takevacation, get married and have kids. Taking these paths may be anoption, and may provide certain benefits to the player as the game isplayed out. As one example, additional salaries may be earned withadvanced degrees.

FIG. 1 illustrates example tiles that may be utilized in each of thethree tiers and respective sub-tiers of the game. The tiers may beillustrated in any format. FIG. 2 shows one example illustration of thethree tiers forming concentric circles on a playing field. FIG. 3illustrates examples of the goals that must be achieved at each tier inorder to win the game. While the illustrated example show the tierstaking the form of circles, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe tiers may be represented graphically in a number of different waysand should not be limited to the illustration of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each tier contains a number of tiles thatindividuals can land upon and that allows or requires certain actionsthat affect one's ability, both positively and negatively, to achieveset goals at each respective tier. To advance to the next tier, acertain set number of goals must be achieved. The goals may be the samefor each player, may vary by player, and/or may vary for each gameplayed.

As seen from FIG. 1, in the illustrated example, the individual at thefirst tier level has commenced their career and is attempting to save topursue their own business plans. Once certain goals are met at the firstlevel, the player may advance to the second tier level. In the secondtier level, as one example, the individual may start his/her own companywith the money that he or she saved in tier 1. In tier 2, the individualstarts his business, hires employees and is required to meet certaingoals or achievements to advance to tier 3. In tier 2, the individual isrequired to get third-party financing to fund his or her business idea.At tier 3, in this example, the player is required to take his companyto an initial public offering. The player is also required, in additionto taking the company to an initial public offering, to achieve otherlandmarks or other goals to win the game. Once a player achieves andmeets all of the goals designated at each level, the player hassuccessfully won the game. The goals may be motivated entirely by moneyand/or by achievements, material possessions, personal goals or otheradvancements. The game may be created and established such that anynumber of obtainable, identifiable goals and/or objects may be requiredfor advancement to the next level.

The example implementation shows an individual developing an idea into abusiness and then eventually taking the business to an initial publicoffering in the region of Silicon Valley. The game includes specificreferences to the culture of Silicon Valley and particular challengesthat individuals face that are specific to the region. In other words,the game is implemented around the specific challenges and lifeexperiences particular to Silicon Valley. Those skilled in the art will,however, recognize that the game may be implemented in any number ofdifferent ways to represent various life paths a person may take whichmay or may not be specific to a specific industry, time period in aperson's life or geographic region.

For example, the game may be geared toward an aspiring actor or actressin Hollywood. The game may also be geared towards an aspiring musicianand may start in one Tier by the band forming and getting their firstshow in a venue that sells a certain number of tickets. Tier 2 couldinclude radio play and a record deal and tier 3 could require the bandto be a headliner in a concert tour and achieve platinum record status.Those skilled in the art will recognize that the game may be designed totrack many different careers, including, but not limited to, politicalcareers.

The game may also be designed for players in specific age groups. Forexample, the game may be geared towards individuals moving intoretirement. The game may further be geared towards high school studentsattempting to apply to, and be accepted at various colleges. The gamecould further be designed to trace a college student's life and theirsocial and educational achievements. As another example, the game may begeared toward people with a certain hobby, such as traveling.

As mentioned earlier, the game may take the form of a board game or maybe implemented as an electronic game, playable on a mobile device, acomputer or a gaming or other electronic device. The game may be playedand accessed through the Internet or a mobile network as a part of asocial media or other web site to name a few examples. The game mayfurther be designed with optional overlays to enhance the game play.Further, the game is designed to be interactive, include productplacement and celebrity endorsements, and even further, to createvirtual worlds where individual businesses are developed or careers arelaunched virtually for game play purposes.

As mentioned previously, the game may include various events, activitiesor occurrences that center around events that take place during thecourse of a person's life. These events may be reflected on a largescale by various tiers and on a more detailed level by tiles within thetiers. FIGS. 1 and 2 only illustrate one example of the how the game maybe implemented. Various tiers and life experience may be reflected inthe game and may vary by version, upgrades, overlays, to the game.Further, the game may be set in the current day, may be historic or maybe futuristic.

Accordingly, it will be understood, and is appreciated by personsskilled in the art, that one or more processes, sub-processes, orprocess steps described in this application may be performed by hardwareand/or software. If the process is performed by software, the softwaremay reside in software memory (not shown) in a suitable electronicprocessing component or system. The software in software memory mayinclude an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementinglogical functions (that is, “logic” that may be implemented either indigital form such as digital circuitry or source code or in analog formsuch as analog circuitry or an analog source such an analog electrical,sound or video signal), and may selectively be embodied in anycomputer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that may selectively fetchthe instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice and execute the instructions. In the context of this disclosure,a “computer-readable medium” is any means that may contain, store orcommunicate the program for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium mayselectively be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus or device. More specific examples, but nonetheless anon-exhaustive list, of computer-readable media would include thefollowing: a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a RAM (electronic),a read-only memory “ROM” (electronic), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic) and a portablecompact disc read-only memory “CDROM” (optical). Note that thecomputer-readable medium may even be paper or another suitable mediumupon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronicallycaptured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or othermedium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitablemanner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

It will be understood that various aspects or details of the inventionmay be changed without departing from the scope of the invention.Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose ofillustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation—the inventionbeing defined by the claims.

Board Game Example Rules

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 & 3, when played as a board game, the game maycomprises a planar board having a plurality of printed images on theboard. The game may further include a plurality of player placeholdersor game pieces and monetary units. To advance a game piece, any numberof different randomizers may be utilized, including, but not limited to,dice, spinning wheels, and drawing cards. The game further comprises aplurality of landing panes or tiles that contain references to eventsassociated with, in the illustrated example, entrepreneur culture. Thelanding tiles also contain instructions on movement of pieces on theboard, awarding of game objects or money, interchange of items withother players, and modulation of game play, including turns. The landingtiles may also contain references to situations that require the playerto make a decision related to entrepreneurial culture.

FIG. 1 provides examples of various instructions or game play optionsthat may be utilized in connection with each tier and may appear onindividual tiles. Sub tier instructions are also provided, and may becharacterized as detours. The game may be implements such that the subtiers are optional, required or both, depending upon game play.

Below is an example of rules that may be associated with game play forthe game illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

Pre-Game

Each player:

-   -   Takes $110,000    -   Takes one of each card to fill: Steady Job (blue) (Tier 1),        Start-up (pink) (Tier 2), Venture Capital (green) (Tier 3)    -   Picks a playing piece (binder clip)    -   Puts it on the starting space    -   Rolls the two dice. The player with the highest roll goes first.

Fill your cards by taking a paper clip from the center of the board andclipping it to the edge. Place the stack of Marriage Licenses by theFamily loop, and the Degrees by the School loop.

Game Play

You have a chance to make it big in Silicon Valley. You will have threecards, each with things to collect at different levels of a SiliconValley life. The first player to fill up all three cards wins—and boy dothey win big! Along the way you will face risks (lawsuits anyone?) andopportunity (did someone say Series B?) Game play for each level is alittle different, so if you want to win, it'll behoove you to RTFM.

Steady Job (Blue) (Tier 1)

Your goal for this level is to make 3 important contacts, have 1 idea,and save up $100,000 for the next level. The cautious among you willwant to save up even more for the perils ahead before venturing into theStart-up (pink) level.

-   -   Why is the blue level a funny shape?. Props to you for being        observant. The main circle is where you play it safe, racking up        pay days and going about the life of a typical salaried person        in Silicon Valley. You will find that life in this circle        becomes boring pretty quickly. In order to advance into the        Start-up world, you must to take a few risks and take a side        detours for some combination of School, Family, Conferencing and        Vacation. The following is an overview of the detours and why a        player would choose to go on one:    -   1. School: In addition to a degree that makes Pay Days more        lucrative, school is a great place to network.    -   2. Family: While pricey, having a family offers a player the        security of health insurance as well as an opportunity to have        an Idea or two.    -   3. Conferencing: A way to network—one you will find is much more        affordable than school.    -   4. Vacation: Who doesn't love vacation? What better way to clear        your mind and have an idea?    -   In general, a space will tell you what to do if you land on it.        We're going to assume that you're smart enough to follow those        directions and will avoid talking about them here. This applies        to spaces at every level.    -   If you land on a space with another player during the blue        round, each player gets a networking piece.    -   If you run out of money, ask for a Pay Day from another player.        You must pay back your Pay Day plus $5k before advancing to the        next round.    -   If you don't like a space, the group can vote on better ones.        We'd love to hear what you come up with! Please email your ideas        to Kaitlin@paloaltoinstitute.org or Martini@pa-investors.com!

Startup (Pink) (Tier 2)

Your goal for this level is to cash out on a successful startup. To doso, your product will need 6 happy employees (at minimum), threepublicity pieces, and one million downloads (4 pieces)

-   -   If you run out of money and cannot pay your employees, go back        to the blue START spot and earn money by landing on Pay Day        spots. Keep your Start-up card full (pink), and advance up to        Startup level through either of the two level-up spaces as soon        as you are comfortable with your level of savings.    -   You may Burn Out at some point, and have no choice but to take a        vacation. Keep your Start-up card and move back up to the        Startup level through either of the two level-up spaces at any        time after your vacation.    -   You can go back to your Steady Job with no penalties to your        Start-up card at any time through the gateways. You may want to        earn some more steady Pay Days if you are tight on cash.    -   At this point, you'll be chomping at the bit to use the coolest        piece in the game: your Start-up Pie. Lucky you—now it's time!        Each pie piece represents 25% equity in your company. There are        a number of funding opportunities that will allow you to sell        one pie piece for a predetermined amount of money (Angel, Series        A, Series B). Cashing in on one or two will keep you financially        solvent, but be careful: sell too many and you'll be out of luck        when you cash out and move up to the Venture Capital round. Each        of those pieces will become worth $5,000,000 if you manage to        take your company to an initial public offering or become        acquired.    -   You may get lucky and receive funding in a Friends and Family        round. In this case, you get to keep all of your remaining pie        pieces.    -   If you land on a space with another player, you each get an        employee.    -   Once your card is full, you may get to the next level either by        becoming acquired or having an initial public offering.

Venture Capital (green)(Tier 3)

The first player to fill up his or her green card wins the game! Inorder to do so, you must purchase one mode of transportation, hire oneemployee, and have $10,000,000,000 dollars.

House Player

In another example of an implementation, the game may have a “playclock” whereby there is a player piece that is not controlled by anyplayer, but controlled by the “house” or by the computer whenimplemented as an electronic game. This independent “player” moves alongtheir own life sequence from youth to dotage, along their own path. Themovement along each sequence can be driven by (1) a round of 1 turn foreach player (or some similar consistent pattern), or (2) based on liveplayers landing on a certain panel that instructs the “house” player tomove. When the house player arrives at a certain position at the end ofthe path, then game could be considered over, and all the live playerstally their winning units to determine the winner of the game.

In one example, the path for the house player, divided into landingpanels, can be just a simple set of numbers or colors, or can containwording that describes the milestones of the typical American. Or themilestone descriptions can be on the panel where a live player lands ontheir main board, and it allows the house player to move along their ownindependent path.

In this example, the live players are not only competing with eachother, but also with a “house” player which may, in one example, beleading a different life than the other players. For example, in theentrepreneur implementation, the house may be a typicalnon-entrepreneur, not silicon valley friendly, living the rockwellianprototypical conventional American life—perhaps from the mid-west. Itprovides a sense that there is an inexorable progression of life in thebackground that involved virtually all of our friends from our hometowns, and whom we get compared to. For instance, one of the landingpanels could say “you get a xmas card from a friend back home with apicture of his wife, 2.1 kids, and a dog.” Meanwhile, the live playersare still living on fumes and worthless stock options.

In one example, the milestone panels of the “house” player may includepanels or tile with the following:

-   -   A friend back home graduates college on time.    -   A friend back home accepts entry-level job in large corporation.    -   A friend back home gets first year-end bonus.    -   You receive news that your home town friend is now engaged to a        high school sweetheart.    -   A friend back home puts $10,000 down payment on starter home.    -   You receive invitation to a wedding from home town friend. You        miss the wedding due to your busy schedule.    -   You receive a holiday card from your home town friend with a        picture of 2.1 kids and a dog.    -   A friend back home receives a promotion at work.    -   A friend back home buys a home on 5 acres.    -   A friend back home joins local country club.    -   A friend back home sends kids off to college.    -   A friend back home qualifies for pension.    -   You receive invitation to the retirement party of a friend back        home.

Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages ofthe invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in theart upon examination of the following figures and detailed description.It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

The foregoing description of implementations has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and doesnot limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed.Modifications and variations are possible in light of the abovedescription or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claimsand their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game that includes two or more tiers or levelsin which a player must achieve certain benchmarks or goals at each tierto advance to the next tier, whereby each tier of the game represents acertain phase or definable segment in a person's life based upon one ormore of the following: career goals; personal goals; educational goalsor geographic location.
 2. The game of claim 1, further includingsub-tiers located at one or more tiers that provide players optional orrequired paths that offer different benefits and/or drawbacks to aplayer.